Busch's Fresh Food Market celebrating 50th Anniversary
Family-owned Busch's Fresh Food Market is celebrating a big anniversary in a big way.
The Michigan grocer with 16 stores in the southeastern part of the state is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Now through May 25, Busch's Fresh Food Market stores will feature special anniversary pricing. On May 24-25, all stores are celebrating with a rib fest featuring chefs grilling ribs and other items from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Half and full slabs of ribs, pulled pork and corn on the cob will be offered at various prices.
On May 17-18, Busch's two Ann Arbor stores are hosting a Celebrate Local Tasting event. At the stores — 2020 Green Road and 2240 S. Main St. — various Michigan companies will present their products while offering in-store tasting samples and demonstrations. Offerings include food products from chips to pizza to specialty cheeses as well as coffee, salad dressing and salsa.
Local companies presenting at either store include:
Downriver Chip Co.
Traverse Bay Pizza Co.
Jen's Gourmet Dressings
Short's Brewing
Germack Coffee Roasting Co.
Little Diablo Salsa
Customers can also scoop up floral flats sourced from local farms for $9.99 each.
Busch's is also celebrating with a charity hot dog event at all its stores. All proceeds from the hot dog event will benefit local food banks, Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners.
Busch's was founded by Joe Busch and Charlie Mattis in 1975 when they acquired two former Vescio Food's stores in Clinton and Saline.
Those locations remain with the Clinton store also housing Busch's Bakehouse, where bakers craft pastries, breads and other fresh-baked goods for all Busch's stores. A Tecumseh store opened in 1982, and both Ann Arbor stores and a Ypsilanti store were built in 1990-1992. Since its 1975 beginning, the chain has grown to 16 stores, employing 1,600 people across Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw, Livingston and Lenawee counties.
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In 1986, Joe Busch retired and his sons John, Doug and Tim, took over the family business. Busch's Fresh Food Market is a full-service grocer with stores that span 26,000 to 51,000 square feet. They offer produce, premium meats and seafood, scratch-made deli and bakery items, special and local products, plus a selection of wine and craft beer.
A highlight of Busch's stores is its Fresh and Fast Magazine. Published several times a year, the magazine is loaded with recipes and product information. The 2025 spring and summer edition is a nod to the chain's 50th anniversary and backyard cooking and entertaining.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Busch's Fresh Food Market is celebrating its 50th anniversary
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